Apparatus for decorating fabric



pril` 21,11/942.- w. L., wE'B'sTEB TAL munkma'rpxs"For:y DECORATING FARIc' Filed Nov. s; 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS VEHNBFJEID LRMEBSTER L. EN t l ATTORNEYS April 2l, 419442. w. l.. WEBSTER ET AL 1 APPARATUS FOR DECORATING FABRIC Filed NOV. 6v, `19:59 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flc FIGS.VV

. y y INVENTORS wlNFlEl-D L.WE BSTER l ELBURN .LRAN Wmv, M

April`21, 11.942. `w. |..`wEas'n-:R ETAL y 280,136 APPARATUS Fon nEcoRATING FABRIC Filednov. e, 1959 3 sheetsfsneet 3` los i |22 j |06v l no1 Q) Y A IO v |02 I los Ill Y ,A

IN'VENTQRS wm FIELD :..wEasTER A B11/Malin .Lg/ANN 9 KLM ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE `the dress or front face of the fabric by means 20 Sure tithe vIOWSI DOILOH 0f `1511611109131 belt'may "vvith the .result that the upper DOrtion of the belt" 35VV 1 t is adapted to transfer heatthiough the beltzto agiol 't abovethe plane of the "tableis provlded, and an are provided,` pressing@ the lower `portion of the Er 50 eht aSthe description DTOCASdS,` and Whelfaklerl Patented Aprf 2l, `19,42

v i `2,230,136 APPARATUS Fon DECORATING FABRIC v .'Winfeld L. Webster and Elburn J. Ralin,` Windsor,

Ontario, .Canad elaware u Applicationmovemhers,1939, serial 303,164

y sfolaims. (01.18-6) The presentinvention relates `to the" decoration of fabric and .more particularlyto of pressure into upstanding 1() vulcanlzesrso tiiatjit resiliently retains its dis# placed form, and further is permanently attached to the fabric. t 1

Itisnwithin the nonternplation of the present H invention that the elongated heating element be in which a `drum` of relatively largediameter 15 is heate uQf a deslgned band suitablytensioned. l take the form of individualy relatively mevabl to the present invention We have stock;` adapted when `lde'att-:d to swell rand 'vulan- 30 mm1 "t `second pair `of `pulleysdisposed` `generally belt is carried thereby` 'H1545 portions acivancingin. unison between `an elonin conjunction with the accompanying v o lravvlparatusy are @plurality of feed;..belts adapted to advance'iabric thereover. l

ings, wherein: t t n t n [Figurejl YiS a `Side elevation of our improved Empamtus';` t A A i `i5 Figure g2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown I per surface I ets 26- and the in Figure 1 with the pressure applying structure in section showing the product of our improved is a fragmentary section showing a of the pressure applying element;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing yet another modified plying apparatus.

Figure somewhat modified construction;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary bottom v the relationship between the Figure modied form design side modified form of design band the view illustrating a Figure is a section on Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan View of a portion of the Referring une in -I n of firstto Figures land 2, the apparatus comprises a table I6 supported by suitable VA pair of lower pulleys I2 secured to i legs II. brackets I3 carried by `the frame of the apparatus are supported with their upper surfaces form of pressure ap-v '1 is a diagrammatic side elevation offar `design band illustrated in Figure 10.

substantially tangent to the upper surface of the i table I0. A metal belt I2, the upper portion of` said belt being at I4' in Figure 1.

i Carried by the table Ill is a heating element I5 herein shown as a channel member of U- shaped cross section. The heating unit proper. Within the heating unit I5 are a plurality of heating elements indicated generally at I6. As previously stated, the

I4 is carried by the pulleys l indicated I5 exd tends completely from end to end of the table elements I6 may be separately controllable or` n The heating n be of any type, such for example as electrical resistance elements or the will be kdesirable to supply heat by means of steam,.or other vheating fluids. We have illustrated electrical heating elements asperhaps the simplest form.

In Figure 3 the channel shaped heating unit I5. Overlying the heating element I6 and enclosing the same is an enclosing member I8 which is of inverted channel shape and which presents a Smooth 11pfor a purpose subsequently to be 'de- 1 at the right-hand edge of Figure 1 as driven sole- `ly-by-.tlfie belts previously referred appreciated that a positive chain .shafts 55-and 51 may 60' alsomewhat modified form Y 3, the upper por- I4 isadapted to consurface of the'mem- An upper fram-e generally indicated at 2D is` carried by 2 I- carried by the table, and'in turn supports a pair suitable brackets rv22 Pulfleys 2I have4 extending vtherebetween a design like.` In some cases itwev have indicated insulating material I1 intermediate the heating elements andx` pulley band 23, "a-portion of which is clearly shown in v Figure 2. The upper frame 2U includes a longitudinally extending beam 24, and also supports for vertical movement a pressure bar 25. Secured to the beam 24 are a plurality of ing Vslidably retained therein pins 21. Pins 21 project from the lowerl end of the brackets `26 and engage the upper surface of the pressure bar 25. Received between the lower portion of the brackupper surface of the pressure vbar 25 are pressure springs 28 which are v-retain'eved .in

brackets 26' havposition by the lower projecting portion of lthe 75 .two shafts 51 and 55 are driven in f The rates of rotation of the -are such that are provided with pins v"rollers for rotation Vwithin the channel member.

contact -between the pressure -instance by means of rollers,

tion and preventing excess wear of the forming y,the forming bands 23 mands.

1n Figure 3 we have illustrated the brackets 26 l as secured to a cross member 30 provided with elongated slots 3l so that the brackets 26 may be adjusted transversely of the table to position the pressure means directly over the forming member.

table 32 is positioned immediately in the fabric indicated may be placed thereon and adv A suitable 34 is provided for supporting a roll of uncured rubberous material 35.

A discharge table 46 is positioned at the discharge end of the table I0 to receive the completed material thereon. A resilient stripper blade 4I is carried by the table and is adapted to Contact the lower roll I2 for insuring separation between the leading edge of the decorated material and the roll.

- The loading table 32 and the discharge table 40 are both provided with a plurality of feed belts, those on the loading table 32 being -indicated at 36 and 'those on the discharge table being indicatedat 42.

Means are provided for driving the various elements of the apparatus, and comprise a motor 56 carried by a cross piece 5I on the frame. The

`motor 56 is adapted to rotate a sprocket 52 -through a suitable speed changing cated generally at 53.

A second sprocket 54 is keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft 55 which carries the discharge I2. A chain 56 interconnects sprockets 52 and 54 and cause a rotation of the shaft 55.

l Preferably a shaft 51 of the upper pulley 2l is provided with a sprocket (not shown) and the y timed relation by a chain driving member.

pulleys I2 and 2I the peripheral surface thereof has the same linear rate of advance. By reason of this,the upper portion of the lower belt and the lower portion of the upper belt move together ywithout relative slippage over the heating unirI I5.

While we have shown the pulleys I2 and 2l to, it will be drive from the be substituted if desired.

'Referring now to Figure 5 We have illustrated of pressure bar 25.

In this figure the pressure member 25a is shown `as vof inverted channel shape having depending i flanges 251). -f25c are provided within spaced rolls the channel and extend a short distance below the flanges 251). Rolls 25C 25d which mount the Aswill 'be evident, member 25a andthe forming band 23 is in this thusreducing fricmernbers. It will be appreciated that if desired may b'e substantially Vtensioned so that while the pressure is applied therefa `somewhat?diiere'nt `m"`odifcation` of` pressure t the beads .14;

the form of Individual blocks,eaclilprovided fparatus Aatfits upper surface with `a recess y*for thefre- 1relationship on apiece of cloth. Thus for examvertically movable in like manner If preferred, t gures we have indicated a heated table IMI over tue pins Z'Ivmay` bexed agamst vertical inove'-` which the fabric and rub er combination is to ment; in which casetherecess 6l inthe'jupperti) be advariced.` A heatconducting belt IUI is applied in a veryl thin strip and that substan- 7d parts are so arranged that the cover fabricibropf "azedise t 3 to at separated points by means of the rolls 25o, reiniorcinJr materlal 12 at points removed from substantially uniform pressure may be exerted by Y the bead 13 for insuring a permanent vulcanized the formlng band 23 agamst the exposed or front bond therebetween The reinforcing material I2 surface of `the `fa ric being decorated thereforepermits substantial tension of the cloth Referring howto Figure 6,` we have illustrated i"5 J0 in subsequent-use without adverselyaiiecting meansffIn this instance 'the pressure means take y some instances it is ydesirable to provide apeeptien ef pins 21, as shown in Figure 3. Pins ""o l"idle it may be desi-red to place redesign Symmetriblock 6i] adgacent the discharge end of the inaband 1S` TOVIded, haVmg upstanding COH- chine may rest By this construction as will vbe tml portions H38 carried thereby feed conreadlly apparent; 1i; 1s posslble to Vary the pres.. veyor H0 is located at the entrance slde of the It is desimbletoprvde this meslfor Vrxh arrangement issuch that a fabric when placed f j-ng tempera-tute pressure to the On COnVeyOI`^o S advanced between the composite materialgthroughout its travelso that IQHS m3 |05 over the heated table uw necontact the conditions of temperature and pressuremaynh theheated band Il l, and design band |06 be coordinated with the particular properties of am Substantially aS DTSVIOUSIY dGSCrlbed e uncured rubber stock employed Thus, in In e Present embOdlment, however, means Some Instances, 1t may be dGslrable to apply n "are provided for causlng intermittent actuation initially low pressureiand temperature to enduremk 0f the BSCHVSYOI H0- We have indicated duri'ngexpansion and moldingof the rubberfinal- *m a `motor H3 connected by'suitable drive means temi. After the rubber has been molded te the '4 te feed r011 '03, and We have indicated at `desired Shape increased temperature and prey r `H5 drive means mterconnecting the roll H33 and sure` maybe alplied' topperfurm the hal vulthel'011- U2 0f thfeed Conveyor HB. The mo canizing operation. y t 1 Referring new particularly to Figure 4, we have "Wlth th? result that the' heating 'b illustrated a`fragmentaryfperspective of a porsuch for`examp1e as paper or` sheeting. When lfeed conVeyO nuto. be atuated" Ilisenergized,` the clutch "is connected, 'causing pressure ras the upper Surfae of the Control is actu'- fa'bric 10 throughout areas overlying the rubber 55 @twg *means ma 'which are daglammatcally 1I, the rubber was displaced from beneath these lu'ustrated as upstandmg DOTOHS 0f the band areas into upstanding beadst 1.3. `At points Where m7 but Whlc may 1f deslfed take Other 00nthe febriem or by astretefhing of therebrie 1o, less until the Clutch actuator I IS is energized, or both. The application of heat and pressure as A relay '2| havmg a. toggle |22 1S IOCafed in the By this means it is possible toplace individual designs symmetrically upon individual cover fabrics, as will readily be appreciated.

Instead of providing a separate control band |01, it will be appreciated that the design band may have suitable relay actuating means thereon for controlling the clutch actuator.

Preferably feed conveyor ||0 is associated with a table having marks thereon indicating the proper positioning of the individual fabric so that upon advance of the belt ||0 the fabric will be advanced in accurately timed relation to the advance of the design element |20.

In Figure 9 we have illustrated a somewhat different form of design band |30 comprising individual links |3| pivoted together as indicated at |32. links may conveniently Ybe made of metal, and

Figure 9 they present a flat bottom surf-ace in contact with the fabric advanced through the machine. Any suitable design may -be engraved thereon. For purposes of illustration, the design indicated at |20 in Figure 8 may be engraved thereon, and of course may extend over a plurality of separate links.

If this type of design band is provided, preferably the feed roll |33, corresponding to the feed roll in Figure '7, is a polygon having sides equal in length to the effective length of the individual links |3|. As indicated in Figure 10, the individual links |3| `are `provided with recesses |34, constituting a design, and, if desired, these recesses may extend completely through the link to avoid entrapment of air therein.` We have indicated at |35 an opening through the top of the recess |34 to permit the escape of entrapped air. In Figure 11 we have illustrated a plurality of links |3| having a portion of the design formed therein. As indicated in these figures, the design extends across the plurality of links.

While we prefer to provide the apparatus as previously described, with the heating element at the rubber side of the composite side of the fabric, it will be appreciated that this arrangement need not be followed, and, if preferred, heat may be transferred from the design band through the fabric to the rubber. This of course requires the use of temperatures at a low enough level to avoid injury to the cloth.

While we have illustrated and described several specific embodiments of our invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, modications, omissions, com- ,binations prising an and substitutions may be made which will be within the spirit and scope of our invention as defined by the appended claims.

What we claim `as our invention is:

1. Apparatus of the character described comelongated heating element, pressure means resliently urged toward said element, a pair of endless bands continuously movable together between said element and pressure means,

a feed conveyor beltA arranged arate sheets of material to .be embossed between said bands, one of said bands having design recesses therein, drive means for said feed conveyor belt and for said bands, and means automatically operable in accordance with the advance of said design recesses for intermittently driving said conveyor belt to advance material in properly registering relation to said design recesses.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising an elongated heating element, pressure means resiliently urged toward said element, a pair of endless lbands movable together between said element and pressure means, a feed conveyor belt arranged to advance sheet material to be embossed between said bands, one of said `bands having design recesses therein, drive means for said feed conveyor belt and for said bands, and means for intermittently driving said conveyor belt to advance material in properly registering relation to said design recesses, said last means comprising conveyor control elements movable with said band having design recesses therein, and a clutch for .controlling the driving of said conveyor belt controlled by said control elements.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising an elongated heating element, pressure means resiliently urged toward said element, a pair of endless bands movable together between said element and pressure means, a feed conveyor belt arranged to advance sheet material to be embossed between said bands, one of said bands having design recesses therein, drive means for said feed conveyor belt and for said bands, and means for intermittently connecting said drive means to said conveyor belt to advance lmaterial in properly registering relation to said design recesses, said last means comprising conveyor control elements movable with said band having design recesses therein.

vWlINFIELD L. WEBSTER.

ELBURN J. RANN. 

